A Home Maintenance Checklist for Every Season

Even with homeowners insurance to protect your home, maintaining and caring for your property is essential. Regular home maintenance not only makes your home safer, but it also increases your home’s value and helps you save money by reducing the chance of unexpected repairs.

Plus, home insurance usually doesn’t cover damage or loss caused by wear and tear, which is why most policies require homeowners to maintain their homes.

From landscaping to plumbing, use this home maintenance checklist to evaluate your home’s needs annually, seasonally, and monthly.

Annual Home Maintenance Checklist

Each year, inspect your property for changes, problem areas, and signs of disrepair that need attention — and address them. These are the main areas to focus on:

• Roof: Inspect your roof each year to identify potential problems and help you gauge the remaining lifespan of your shingles.
• Exterior: Take a walk around your property and pay attention to the home’s foundation. Cracks in the foundation should be repaired to prevent water intrusion.
• Appliances: At minimum, clean your dryer vent each year to remove any buildup and prevent fires.
• Plumbing: If you have a standard water heater with a tank, flush it annually. Check your home’s water pressure and temperature and confirm they are in the normal range.
• Bugs: Termites are silent invaders and can wreak havoc on a home. Learn the signs of a termite problem and check your home for unwanted guests.
• Landscaping: Remove any dead branches and trim large branches that overhang your roof or brush against your siding.

Seasonal Home Maintenance Checklist

Some seasons are better for certain tasks. Here’s a breakdown of how to handle home maintenance chores throughout the year.

Winter Home Maintenance Checklist

• Look for ice dams and icicles on your roof and gutters where ice accumulates.
• Shovel and salt walkways if snow accumulates.
• Confirm that your garage door’s safety reverse function is working.
• Change the ceiling fan direction clockwise to circulate warm air evenly.

Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

• Check gutters and downspouts, window weep holes, and window wells for blockage.
• Prune trees and bushes.
• Check your driveway, sidewalks, patios and stairs for unevenness and trip hazards.
• Inspect the attic for signs of roof leaks.
• If you have a sump pump, make sure it is in proper working order.

Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

• Consider tackling bigger projects, such as upgrading and sealing your roof, repairing any exterior damage, and painting exterior areas.
• Clean the dryer vent to prevent fires.
• Check your storm shutters if you live in an area prone to hurricanes to protect your home from storm damage.
• Anchor your outdoor structures and furniture before hurricane season starts on June 1.
• Change ceiling fan direction counterclockwise to push cooler air down into the room.

Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

• Shut off water to any outdoor water features like hoses, sprinkles, and fountains.
• Check the insulation around any pipes, especially on exterior walls, to prevent pipes from freezing.
• Remove screens and install storm windows and doors.
• Properly store fuel cans.
• Inspect the attic for signs of leaks, critters, or bugs.

Monthly Home Maintenance

Some home maintenance tasks should happen on a more regular basis. Put a reminder in your calendar to do these once a month:

• Check your HVAC filters and replace them as needed to improve air quality.
• Clear any slow-moving drains to prevent clogs and potential leaks.
• Check carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms and replace batteries as needed.
• Tend to your appliances:
  • Clean your dishwasher and oven according to manufacturer recommendations.
  • Vacuum refrigerator coils.
  • Monitor your water softener salt.
  • Clean your garbage disposal.
• Deep clean bathrooms to remove mold and mildew.
• Inspect toilets, sinks, and other plumbing fixtures for leaks.
• Check electric cords for wear and tear and confirm GFCI outlets work properly.
• Be aware of any pest damage or signs of entry around your home.

Proactive care keeps your home comfortable and reduces the potential for damage. Make time in January to prioritize home maintenance in the new year.

Download a PDF of the checklist here.